Background: In response to the shortage of respiratory therapists, hospitals are seeking different strategies to attract and retain respiratory therapists. The opportunity to practice at the top of one’s professional scope is often cited as being attractive when considering a place of employment. A comprehensive survey explored whether respiratory-driven protocols (mechanical ventilation pathway, asthma, secretion clearance pathway, spinal cord injury) increase job satisfaction and assist with retention or if therapists feel protocols are a workflow burden and decrease job satisfaction. Methods: The survey was conducted at a 700-bed medical center to better understand the impact of protocolized care. The University of Maryland Medical Center’s respiratory therapists were invited to complete a web-based survey via social media and department announcements. IRB approval was obtained. Results: Fifty-three (38%) respiratory therapists responded to the survey from the 139 within the respiratory department. The high agreement rates (94% and 86%) indicate that respiratory protocols significantly increase autonomy and job satisfaction among respiratory therapists. This is a positive outcome as it suggests that the implementation of these protocols has a direct and beneficial impact on the staff. The protocols also increased participation in critical care rounds, with 89% (66% strongly agreed, 23% agreed) stating that it increased the feeling of being part of the critical care team. This finding is particularly important as it demonstrates the role of protocols in fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration among the staff. Conclusions: Based on this survey feedback, implementing respiratory protocols can increase practice autonomy and job satisfaction within respiratory care departments. Supporting respiratory protocols could also enhance recruitment and retention by increasing respiratory therapists’ pride in being recognized and appreciated for their professional contributions. Ultimately, the facility benefits by filling vacant positions, respiratory therapists see longevity within an organization, and our patients receive the benefits of respiratory care best practices.
Madden et al. (Tue,) studied this question.